We show up with expertise, lead with empathy, and never stop looking for better ways to bring comfort, joy, and meaning to every single day — because every family deserves a life fully and beautifully lived.
Years Serving the Community
Skilled Dedicated Clinicians
Clients Served Annually
Committed to Excellence
Rincon Family Services was established in 1972, through a clinic called “El Rincon.” Rafael “Paloma” Rios, a magnetic organizer in Chicago’s Puerto Rican community, led the founding. Rios has been credited with being the visionary force among the originators of Fiestas Patronales—a long-standing annual festival celebrating Puerto Rican heritage and culture in Humboldt Park.
Through decades of gentrification and growing socioeconomic gaps, underrepresented residents have struggled against compounding disparities. These inequalities were magnified by addiction, violence, and homelessness in their communities. Rincon became an oasis for individuals and families of all ethnic and racial backgrounds, offering individualized, culturally competent, and holistic care for their health concerns.
In 2011, "El Rincon" became "Rincon Family Services," reflecting the understanding that substance abuse impacts entire families. Over the last five years, Rincon has added seven new programs serving children, teenagers, and parents with effective prevention and treatment methods. We continue diversifying our resources to provide the most comprehensive care possible.
In 2017, Rincon Family Services officially incorporated Youth Service Project (YSP) as a division, uniting both organizations' missions to deliver more comprehensive community programs. The YSP and RFS Boards worked closely to ensure YSP's mission remained strong through the merge, with a shared commitment to better serving youth and their families.
In 2021, as the pandemic deepened Chicago's mental health crisis, Rincon Family Services answered the call by opening The Living Room — a free, welcoming safe haven where anyone in need could walk in, no ID, no fee, no judgment, and find real human connection, peer support, and a path toward healing.
A bold framework rooted in the belief that true leadership begins with mastering oneself in service of others. Guided by Will, Hope, and Yearning, we move forward with clarity, courage, and integrity while building a lasting legacy for future generations. This vision shapes every program we create, every space we build, and the legacy we leave for future generations.
Our commitment to compassionate care drives every decision we make, ensuring dignity, comfort, and trusted support for individuals and their families every single day.
Dedicated to improving quality of life through compassionate, effective programs that empower individuals and families through advocacy, education, and holistic support.
To build stronger, healthier communities where every individual and family—regardless of background or circumstance—has access to culturally responsive care, opportunities for growth, and pathways to long-term wellbeing.
Empowerment, reduction of treatment stigma, and relationship building with partners
Embodying effective and transparent leadership and quality client care
Embracing culturally diverse communities and equality through sensitivity to individual needs
Consistent service delivery, measurable success, and sensible financial management
Preventative programming and clinical services based on industry standards, competence and outreach
"Protect the people. Communities, partners, students, and donors are not outcomes to be optimized; they are lives to be respected. Every decision you make will echo in places you may never visit and in futures you may never see."
Highest national standard in healthcare quality and patient safety achieved every year since 2009.
Awarded by the Mental Health America (MHA) for demonstrating a meaningful commitment to employee mental health and well-being.
“Living Room” Project, Solutions for a World with Zero Barriers, Vienna, Austria
Rincon Family Services assumed operational management of The Center for Resources for Teaching and Learning in Illinois, dedicated to educator support and professional learning.
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